diff --git a/src/ghstack/github.py b/src/ghstack/github.py
index 31343ca..99c28cd 100644
--- a/src/ghstack/github.py
+++ b/src/ghstack/github.py
@@ -10,6 +10,10 @@ class NotFoundError(RuntimeError):
     pass
 
 
+class LicenseError(RuntimeError):
+    pass
+
+
 class GitHubEndpoint(metaclass=ABCMeta):
     @abstractmethod
     def graphql(self, query: str, **kwargs: Any) -> Any:
diff --git a/src/ghstack/github_real.py b/src/ghstack/github_real.py
index 600fe64..ac074ee 100644
--- a/src/ghstack/github_real.py
+++ b/src/ghstack/github_real.py
@@ -187,6 +187,11 @@ def rest(self, method: str, path: str, **kwargs: Any) -> Any:
 
             # Per Github rate limiting: https://docs.github.com/en/rest/using-the-rest-api/rate-limits-for-the-rest-api?apiVersion=2022-11-28#exceeding-the-rate-limit
             if resp.status_code in (403, 429):
+                if resp.status_code == 403 and "Upgrade to GitHub Pro" in r.get(
+                    "message", ""
+                ):
+                    raise ghstack.github.LicenseError(pretty_json)
+
                 remaining_count = resp.headers.get("x-ratelimit-remaining")
                 reset_time = resp.headers.get("x-ratelimit-reset")
 
diff --git a/src/ghstack/land.py b/src/ghstack/land.py
index 08adfb6..f804d8d 100644
--- a/src/ghstack/land.py
+++ b/src/ghstack/land.py
@@ -88,6 +88,10 @@ def main(
             needs_force = True
     except ghstack.github.NotFoundError:
         pass
+    except ghstack.github.LicenseError:
+        logging.warning(
+            "Failed to check branch protection (GitHub Pro required), skipping check."
+        )
 
     orig_ref, closed = lookup_pr_to_orig_ref_and_closed(
         github,